Recharge and Reconnect

The staged return of students ran smoothly. Our senior students returned on 26th May and they were the first students introduced to the new expected behaviours around social distancing, hand and personal hygiene and sanitising of surfaces.

The Years 7 to 10 students undertook a two day program upon return called Recharge and Reconnect. This program included:

Wellbeing activities (reconnecting, mindfulness, gratitude, resilience)
Online excursions
Goal setting
An enquiry project and presentation
Year 9 Tech School Program

The “New Normal”

The College has followed the guidelines of the government, Department of Education and Training and the Chief Health Officer and implemented a number of practices and strategies that include:

Way Signage around the College indicating travel directions, entry and exits
Signage promoting social distancing and hand hygiene
Practices requiring students to hand sanitise upon entering and exiting class
Practices requiring teachers and students to sanitise tables and chairs upon entering the class
Installation of hand sanitising units
Social distancing expectations at recess and lunchtime in the yard, while playing games and in the locker areas
Promotion of these practices through our slogans “Follow the LAW – Look, Assess, Wait and “Staying Apart Keeps Us Together”
Communication to staff and students about staying home if unwell
Restricted access to the site for parents/carers and public
Meetings conducted via telephone or videoconferencing

Facilities

The Tender evaluation process has been completed for the sports fields’ development. The successful tenderer will be announced by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) and the North East Link Authority (NELA) soon. Works are expected to begin before the end of term (site fences and sheds).

We have received correspondence from The Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, James Merlino, confirming the allocation of $8.9 million in capital works funding for the stage 2 upgrades. We are in the final stages of Design and Development. The Tender Evaluation Phase will be in July to August with works to begin in September this year.

Wellbeing – Footy Day

The first week back for all students culminated in perfect weather for the footy day. What a successful day this was with staff and students getting involved, welcoming back AFL footy into our daily lives. Thank you to Glenn Jenner for leading this with the Positive Climate for Learning team.

Whilst the queues for lunch were long, the students were patient and polite, chatting happily as they waited for their lunch. By all accounts the lunch was delicious!

Antonella and Daniela in the canteen, did a great job serving the whole school. They brought in some extra help for the day and they commented how terrific the students were. We learned a bit about the logistics for future events but all in all a successful wellbeing initiative. Please check out facebook and Instagram for some great pictures of the day.

End of Term

As I write this we are still in the State of Emergency until 21st June. We are planning for term 3 and these plans will be informed by any new directions and guidelines handed down to us. We will keep the community informed.

As we head towards the end of term 2 I want to take the opportunity to thank our fantastic staff that has not only survived the remote teaching and learning phase, but has thrived throughout. We have been drilling down into the new learnings and assessing how these learnings will influence our future planning.

Thank you to students and parents for their patience, support and openness throughout. Whilst it was a difficult time for some the priority was, and still remains, the health and wellbeing of all. We have all worked together to achieve a good outcome so far for the health of our state. More may be asked of us moving forward and what we know now is that we can do it.

Farewells

At the beginning of the term Jenny Hammond retired and we have not been able to have a formal farewell for Jenny. We are planning for this once restrictions are eased. Jenny has been a staff member at the College for 32 years way back when she worked in the office at Watsonia High School. Jenny forged many long standing relationships with families through her work in “Accounts Receivable”, where she showed great empathy and respect for families and their particular situations. We will miss Jenny at the College. We thank Jenny for her massive contribution and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Brian Crowley, who is a community volunteer, has retired from the Model Aeroplane Club. Brian has been running the club at the school for over 15 years and his work has been acknowledged locally. We thank Brian for his contribution to the school and once again, as restrictions ease, we will invite him to a morning tea to thank him.

Sharyn Niclasen, once again, joined our staff this term, as a Long Service Leave replacement. Sharyn’s expertise and local knowledge is much valued and appreciated and we say thank you for agreeing to come back when we need her.

Welcome back

Sarah Daley returns from family leave in term 3 and she will be working 2 days a week. George Youssef returns from Long Service Leave. Welcome back to Sarah and George.

Happy Holidays

I wish all the staff, students and families the very best for the forthcoming holidays. This will be a well-deserved break for all. Please stay safe and well.

Pauline Barker

Principal

Year 10 Woodwork

Wooden Table Project